25% of Autism Cases May be Due to Maternal Antibodies

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Maternal Antibodies May Trigger up to 25% of Autism Cases

Maternal antibodies that interfere with fetal brain proteins during pregnancy may be responsible for roughly one quarter of cases of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a new study suggests.

Lead researcher Judy Van de Water, PhD, and colleagues have coined the term “maternal autoantibody–related,” or MAR, autism for these cases.

These findings are incredibly important because they establish a cause for a significant portion of autism cases, thereby opening up new lines of inquiry into possible biological treatments.

In addition, the findings demonstrate that a diagnostic test is within reach.

The researchers have now identified 7 specific target antigens that these autoantibodies bind to. Each antigen is highly expressed in the human fetal brain and has an established role in neurodevelopment.

Transl Psychiatry. Published online July 9, 2013. Full article

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